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March 30, 2006

A new phase

As you listen to the demands that U.S. troops leave Iraq because they only stir up the insurgency, keep this in mind:

Crime is seen as the biggest problem in the country. While many of the gangs insist their activities are political ("drive out the occupier"), not criminal, the ground truth is otherwise. The gangs will keep stealing and kidnapping until the police are able to take them out. Since some of the gangs do have political connections, there will be political and media blowback as some gangs are put down.

We are definitely watching a new phase unfold in Iraq. Emphasis above is mine.